Lower School Archives

Parents Association Open House & Upcoming Events

April 10, 2019

We invite the MPA community to attend the MPA Parents Association Open House on Friday, April 19 from 8-9 AM in the Porter Conference Room. Come enjoy coffee and a light breakfast as we discuss our accomplishments this past year and plans for the upcoming school year. Please attend as we would love to get your feedback and ideas. If you are interested in taking on a PA Board or Event Chair position for next year, come to the Open House for more information or contact Kim Jakway at thejakways@gmail.com. We would love to see you and really appreciate your help! Read More

MPA Is Seeking Host Families

April 10, 2019

Do you have room to spare? Space in your heart for another family member? A desire to expand your family’s perspective of the world? MPA is seeking host families for several international students for the 2019-20 school year.

Our new students this year are finding great success, experiencing near-daily “firsts,” and loving their MPA journey. Between the adults in their school and home lives, our students feel supported, nurtured, and loved while living so far from their families. This is vital to their success and the strongest testament to everything our MPA host families and staff do to care for our international students.

We would love it if you and your family considered hosting an international student for next school year. As you and your family consider hosting, some logistical questions may arise. The information below is by no means an exhaustive list, but it may answer some of the initial questions you have and prompt additions ones as well:

TRANSPORTATION

Host families are responsible for providing transportation to and from school and school-related activities.
Host families are responsible for providing transportation to and from the airport when the student travels.
Host families will work with their student in scheduling rides for social events.

STIPEND

A 10-month stipend of $9,000 will be directly deposited in equal installments of $900/month on the first of each month for the previous month, September through June.
An early installment of $500 will be deposited on August 1 in preparation of your student’s arrival; the remaining $400 will be deposited on September 1.
The daily stipend rate of $30/day will be taken from and disbursed to host families who are providing respite care for a student, as needed.

MEALS

All international students will receive the MPA school lunch. Host families and students do not need to pack lunches.
Host families are responsible for providing two meals on all weekdays and three meals on all weekend days.

ARRIVAL

New-to-MPA students are being asked to arrive over the weekend of August 17-18, 2019.
New students will have New International Student Orientation on August 20-23.
Returning MPA students will probably arrive on/near August 26, preparing for the first day of school on August 28.

By hosting an international student, you and your family have a unique opportunity to bring the language, culture, and perspective of another country into your home, allowing for a truly rich, intercultural experience. The students will love to share their lives with you while becoming a part of your family, exploring Minnesota, and enjoying MPA student life all at the same time.

We hope you’ll consider opening your hearts and homes to one of our international students. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Sarah McFarland, International Student Program Coordinator and Advanced Language & Culture Teacher, at smcfarland@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-777-2555.

Click here to fill out a Host Family Application, and here for more information. Thank you so much for considering!

Summer Enrichment with Mr. Purdy

April 10, 2019

Learning should truly be a magical, creative, hands-on process. “The Science of Harry Potter” summer enrichment class does just that and is the perfect vehicle for what Mr. Purdy likes to call “Imaginerring”—the joy of combining science and imagination. In class, you will use science and your imagination to create a Golden Snitch catapult, use chemistry to brew magic potions, create Troll Bogey magnetic sand, and so much more. Get ready to bring science to life! This class is for grades two through four, and will be held June 17-21, 10:40 AM-12:10 PM.

When it comes to teaching and learning, no one puts it better than Miss Frizzle from the Magic School Bus series when she says, “Take Chances, Make Mistakes, Get Messy.” In the “Let’s Make a Mess” summer enrichment class, we will do just that. If we can make it goop, platter, foam, pop, or fizz we will. Besides having a lot of fun getting messy, we will learn the science behind what makes it pop, fizz, splatter, and foam. Students in grades kindergarten through four are welcome to enroll in this class, and it will be held June 17-21, 9-10:30 AM.

Visit moundsparkacademy.org/summer to sign up for these fun summer enrichment classes!

Gifts From All Ages

April 4, 2019

Two second grade students, Isaac and Thomas, were recently inspired to raise money to donate to Together, We Dream: The Campaign For MPA.

Thomas proudly brought in his hard-earned $10 donation because he is so excited about the improvements to our school and wanted to be a part of them. He said, “At the groundbreaking, I heard you were trying to raise $5 million. After I went home and thought about it, I decided I had ten dollars that I needed to donate to the construction.”

Isaac’s mother, Michelle, shared that during spring break, Isaac collected trash throughout his neighborhood in exchange for a little bit of money from her. She said, “He really wanted to contribute to the current campaign having seen his classmate Thomas do the same thing with his pocket money.”

When one gift inspires another, big dreams can come true. Thank you, Thomas and Isaac!

Spring’s Impact On Learning

April 4, 2019

by Renee Wright, Lower School Director

Editor’s Note: On the first Thursday of each month, you will find a guest blog post here from one of MPA’s division directors. We hope you enjoy reading their thoughts and reflections about life at MPA.

The March break stimulates thoughts of spring in Minnesota, stirs up feelings of excitement, and renews the soul. Spring has always been my favorite season, marking the end of a brutal winter and the transition into warmer temperatures. As a child I watched for puddles to appear and looked for the first sighting of a robin or baby bunnies or ducklings in our backyard as a sign that spring was on its way. Spring seemed so mysterious to me as a child, and as an adult I continue to feel the same. The transition from winter to spring magically transforms nature, which impacts the human spirit. Read More

Invite A Friend To Be Curious With Us!

April 3, 2019

Do you have a friend, colleague, or neighbor who would love MPA? Invite them to MPA’s Early Childhood Curiosity Day on April 26! It will be a fun morning with activities that include a singalong, a story walk, play time in the Makerspace, and much more.

Our Early Childhood Curiosity Day is a very special event is for families who are interested in MPA’s PreK or kindergarten program. Visitors will join us as we explore curiosity and literacy in conjunction with the release of the latest Curious George seek-and-find book. At MPA, we learn by doing and this event is no exception. Activities will include a story walk, singalong, and seek-and-find fun in addition to diving into Curious George’s most recent story.

For more information and RSVP, see moundsparkacademy.org/visit, email admission@moundsparkacademy.org, or call 651-748-5577. Come be curious with us!

Summer Enrichment With Ms. Koen

March 19, 2019

“Look what I made in the workshop!” and “I’m excited to design my own project!” will be regular phrases said by students who take Ms. Koen’s Beginning Carpentry enrichment course this summer. In Nuts and Bolts: Beginning Carpentry, students will learn how to safely use the tools and materials in the Makerspace, while creating a game or toy of their choice.

Students in grades 1-4 will start the week by using the scroll saw to create a wooden toy, while students in grades 5-8 will build a step stool, bird house, or tool box. Both age levels will have the opportunity to design and bring an idea to life.

The Lower School class is June 17-21 from 9 AM to 12 PM, and the Middle School class is June 17-21 from 1 PM to 4 PM. Space is limited, so visit moundsparkacademy.org/summer to sign up to secure your spot today!

Be Curious At MPA

March 14, 2019

Early Childhood Curiosity Day
Mounds Park Academy
Friday, April 26, 2019
8:45 AM-10 AM
RSVP >

In Lower School, students experience hands-on, interdisciplinary learning, while ensuring the curiosity and sense of wonder they come to school with flourishes. Our small class sizes enable the teachers to stay closely attuned to the gifts and challenges of each student, and make sure each child has the attention they deserve.

Here at MPA, we believe learning is a life-long process. We want our students to stay excited and curious about learning, and that is something we aim to achieve every day in our classrooms and around school. We believe this is achieved daily through the enthusiasm that can be seen in classrooms, discussions, and activities.

Experience this curiosity for yourself at our Early Childhood Curiosity Day on April 26 beginning at 8:45 AM! This very special event is for families who are interested in MPA’s PreK or kindergarten program. Join us as we explore curiosity and literacy in conjunction with the release of the latest Curious George seek-and-find book. At MPA, we learn by doing and this event is no exception. Activities will include a story walk, singalong, and seek-and-find fun in addition to diving into Curious George’s most recent story.

Following the activities, children and adults alike will be provided with a snack and invited to play and explore in our Makerspace—the only PreK-12 space of its kind in the Twin Cities—spend some time on our sprawling playground (weather dependent), or visit our PreK and kindergarten classrooms. All families will leave with their own copy of this Curious George book, compliments of MPA.

For more information and RSVP, see moundsparkacademy.org/visit, email admission@moundsparkacademy.org, or call 651-748-5577. Come be curious with us!

March 14, 2019

Registration is open for Summer Panther Sport Camps!

Basketball lovers, join Jacob Schwartz ’09, MPA alum and Head Varsity Basketball Coach, as he and the assistant coaches emphasize shooting, ball handling, and fundamentals! Mounds Park Academy’s Panther Summer Basketball is excited to offer our annual Panther Basketball Camp. With more than 50 campers attending last year, we are expecting another tremendous camp. This camp is open to MPA and non-MPA students alike, who are entering grades 4-9 in Fall 2019. MPA students are encouraged to invite a friend! Read More

What Students Discover When Learning By Doing

March 14, 2019

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

For most Middle School students, this week is their favorite time of the school year. It is i-Term, a signature MPA program that offers students an intensive learning experience in a single class that aligns with their interests and fuels their passion for learning. For some, it primarily means a week without homework and without grades. For all, this inquiry-based, experiential learning experience reflects a core attribute of an MPA education that has been with us since our founding 37 years ago.

Inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, and service-learning are relatively new terms in the educational world and seem to be in vogue as schools look for creative and innovative ways to more fully engage students in learning. The Nellie Mae Education Foundation defines project-based learning as “an instructional approach that addresses core content through relevant, hands-on learning—challenging students to solve ‘real world- problems.” According to the Center for Teaching and Learning at the University of Washington, “Service-learning refers to learning that actively involves students in a wide range of experiences, which often benefit others and the community, while also advancing the goals of a given curriculum.” Read More